MyMemeCards editorial team
In MyMemeCards, the meme card game, “Mum took eight days” is a rare card of the French Politics pack, number 56 of the collection, and the 57th best-known meme of its 127 cards. Here is what the meme means, where it comes from, and how to get its card.
What does the “Mum took eight days” meme mean?
This format expresses irony regarding persistent delays or assumed incompetence. The excuse presented as definitive highlights the absurdity of justifying negligence with an immutable biological fact. It allows for gentle mockery of anyone who systematically arrives late without ever correcting it, turning a fault into a hereditary trait.
Where does the “Mum took eight days” meme come from?
On April 4, 2017, Jean Lassalle, a French presidential candidate, missed the start of the major debate organized by BFMTV and CNews. Arriving last at the studio, he was questioned by a journalist. He first cited traffic, then said: "Mom took eight days to bring me into the world [...] I never managed to make up for this delay." This original justification went viral immediately. Clips of his late arrival were widely distributed. The meme originated from this catchy remark linking a major political event to a quirky personal excuse. Its popularity stemmed from the dark humor and audacity of using private life as a logical argument.
- 2017Jean Lassalle utters the phrase during the presidential debate on April 4.
How to use the “Mum took eight days” meme
- Use this quote to tease a colleague who always arrives late to meetings.
- Post it on social media to comment on an event canceled or postponed without valid reason.
- Use it in a friends' group to laugh at fake excuses made after forgetting something.
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The “Mum took eight days” card in MyMemeCards
| Number | No. 056 |
|---|---|
| Rarity | Rare |
| Collection | French Politics pack |
| Fame | 78/100 · #57 of 127 |
| Recycle value | 10 MemeCoins (30 in Shiny) |
How to get the “Mum took eight days” card
Every pack holds 5 meme cards, the first 3 of them Common; Mum took eight days comes out of the French Politics pack as a rare card. The pack odds say what each rarity weighs.
Your first pack is free and needs no account. After that a new free pack lands every 10 minutes, up to 3 waiting for you. You can also buy the card with MemeCoins on the market, bid for it at auction, or trade it — and a double recycles into 10 MemeCoins.
Open your free pack
5 meme cards, one of them at least Rare. One free pack per person.
Free · no account needed
Odds per card, averaged over a pack: Common 72%, Rare 23.9%, Epic 3.2%, Legendary 0.56%, Mythic 0.3%, Full Art 0.8%, Shiny 0.2%. Cards 1 to 3 are always Common, cards 4 and 5 climb the rarities. Rates drop for cards that circulate a lot. Details
Memes like “Mum took eight days”
More cards of the French Politics pack
Frequently asked questions
What does Mum took eight days mean?
It is a meme based on a statement by Jean Lassalle explaining his delay by his long birth.
Who said Mum took eight days?
Jean Lassalle, a French presidential candidate, said it in 2017 during the BFMTV debate.
Why was Jean Lassalle late for the debate?
He claims it is because his mother took eight days to give birth, a delay he never caught up on.
When did the debate with Lassalle take place?
The event took place on Tuesday, April 4, 2017, organized by BFMTV and CNews.
How do I get the Mum took eight days meme card?
Open a pack of MyMemeCards: “Mum took eight days” is a rare card of the French Politics pack. Your first pack is free, with no account, and you can also buy, trade or win the card at auction.
How rare is the Mum took eight days card?
It is a Rare card. Rarity decides which pack slot can deal it, and what it is worth on the market.
Sources: À l'école, "l'institutrice ne comprenait pas" Jean Lassalle : sa mère le raconte · Citations de Jean Lassalle · Jean Lassalle dérape à propos de ses adversaires - Programme TV · checked on October 8, 2026.
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Open your free pack: 5 meme cards, no account needed.